Also:

This story is disturbing on so many levels. Not only is the act itself horrific, but the ages of the children involved is frightening to me.

The fact that children could commit this crime without feeling or remorse shows there is something very wrong in our society.

Newbold, Rochdale (UK): A gang of youths had seized the seven-week-old brother and sister and were slowly roasting them over a bonfire on a canal bank.

Yelping in panic and distress as their fur began to burn, the pair struggled desperately to escape the children’s clutches.

The commotion attracted a walker who ran over to the bonfire and ordered the gang to release them immediately.

Melanie Johnson, 32, said: ‘I just could not believe the cruelty being shown by these kids. If I hadn’t turned up, I think they would have burned the dogs alive.’

Miss Johnson, from Rochdale, added: ‘Most of the kids were aged 12, 13 or older. But some were as young as ten. I was ripping mad and still am to think that anyone – least of all children – could do this.’

She took the two puppies from the bank and carried them to the safety of her home before wrapping them in a towel and taking them to an RSPCA shelter.

The puppies are doing fine and will soon be put up for adoption. No arrests have been made in connection to this crime. I hope the Greater Manchester Police don’t just dismiss this as kids being kids, this is a despicable act and those children need to be punished accordingly.

Yesterday I did a post on starting a Neighborhood Watch Program, and getting a free kit to start one. I mentioned it would be a great aid for teachers, helping to give children a better understanding how animals should be treated and how to interact with them.

This vicious act reinforces my feelings even more, children that abuse and torture animals turn into adults who do the same. That should be enough to scare anyone into action, change starts with you, take time to make a difference.